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Topic: Session 7.5: T'riad (Read 477 times)

T?riad woke with a start. He had trained as a monk his entire life, for as long as he could remember he could sense the passing of his consciousness from the dream-world into the physical one. He sat up in fear, for this time, he had not.

He was sitting on the very peak of a very steep hill top, as if the gods had picked him up in the night, and placed him there. He tried to focus as he stood, working away the webs of sleep to ease his confusion as to how he found himself here, but the question remained unanswered. He not had no recollection of the previous night and couldn?t even remember what he had done yesterday at all.

He faced the rising sun, that seemed so close at this height, and was just barely peaking over the mountains to his east. Quickly looking around to get his bearings he was immediately awestruck by the beauty of where he was, forgetting for the moment as to why he was lost. He appeared to be about a thousand feet atop a steep, but grassy hill, with many hills like it surrounding him. Distant mountains were to the east, they rose to much greater heights. As his eyes worked right to left along the horizon, he realized he was in a hilly and expansive valley. The ring of high mountains, with snow-top peaks, surrounded him in every direction of the compass.

When he looked down in the valley to the southwest, he realized he was no longer near the Outpost. Below him, in a pocket between the hill he was standing on, and two others, was the most interesting village he had ever laid eyes upon.

As he was a foot from making contact with Klairgaireous throat, time blinked and slowed down. All physical events instantly diminished into a surreal slowed form. T?riad had no idea of what power had been summoned, but his enemy appeared to be affected as well. He was unsure if physical time had slowed or his mind had quickened, but he watched every moment proceeding with perfect clarity.

He realized that all his training was not enough for this moment. It was though, enough training to identify to him his failure. The day he left his Master spoke the words, ?Balance exists as a greater thought. That thought is made of multitude of all the experiences of nature, science and divinity. There are extremes to those variables, and the polar opposites are not always equal. For balance is sometimes achieved by the power of median quantity overcoming the extreme.?

T?riad needed his whole monastery to overcome this extreme.

His failure was not anticipating his enemy?s attack, for he had done so, it was miscalculating that this beast had not already factored in his own. Klairgaireous massive dark gray hand was resting square on his chest, the blue energy already surging from the hobgoblin?s dark soul.

Because of the curse of the faded time, T?riad felt the cold blue sorcery as it slowly invaded his chest cavity. The flashing lightning like energy started to turn the blood in his veins to ice. The pain was excruciating. As his lifeblood flowed from the other parts of his body, it crashed into veins and solidified. With nowhere to go, the blood exploded the precarious connection between the healthy vein, and its frozen extension, creating more damage.

And Klairgaireous was still channeling the energy into him! What would have killed him in an instant, was now going to kill him over many long agonizing moments. He realized his fist would not connect to its target, for he would be dead before it could make its mark.

As his entire chest became frozen with the flowing deadly energy, his crashing lifeblood exploded internally. He felt his kinetic energy of his fist, albeit slowed, falter. His mind would soon follow his heart in defeat.

With the ability to focus and analyze his own death, T?riad vowed to be a student of balance to the very end, forcing his eyes to commit and not close.

He felt the innards of his chest cavity explode out his back under the shoulder blades, the incredible pain reaching a pinnacle. His eyes started to lose focus as his mind started to lose its abilities with the engine of his heart destroyed.

Suddenly, even though time had not amplified, a large form rose up behind Klairgaireous. As T?riad tried to force his eyes to focus, time snapped back to normal. As it did so, T?riad was flung backward a great distance, landing on the hillside with his ravaged back, his feet higher than his head.

Klairgaireous screamed in pain. T?riad summoned the last of his energy to focus upon the large form holding the beast aloft, but alas, T?riad?s destroyed body could no longer contain his spirit. The strength within the muscles on his neck gave way and he died before his head hit the grass on the hill.

It no longer mattered what T?Riad had hoped would come of this meeting. It was quite clear to him that it had become what he expected it would?a duel. Klairgaireous was clearly the aggressor in this meeting. Nothing that led to this no mattered it was time to react with full clarity on the events at hand.

T?Riad saw the blue energy in the priests hand spark and glow. T?Riad knew that he was probably far quicker than Priest and decided that he would attack before the priest gave him a taste of his dark magic.

T?Riad sprung forth into a diving roll leaving his Kamas on the ground as he tumbled into arms reach of the priest. For years he had practiced stunning an opponent with a precise blow from his fist. Now was the the moment that his timing had to be flawless. T?Riad came up in front of the priest and let his fist fly with controlled rage.

Klairgaireous? low growl rolled from his chest as he spoke, ?Many assumptions in your words.?

The monstrous horned hobgoblin quickly turned, squaring shoulders with the much smaller monk. T?riad already sensed the attack and crouched into a defensive position that would allow him a dodging roll to his left. Klairgaireous raised his massive right hand over his head, as he did so T?riad watched in dismay a dark blue energy sizzle across the surface of the beasts gray skin.

?History is written by the victors!? He yelled aloud.

The deep vibrating growl in his chest burst forth from him and transformed into a guttural incantation.

T?Riad?s hands tightened around his Kamas. His arm muscles felt as if they would burst from his skin. He would rather get back to the camp to tell the others of this encounter. He was fairly confident that his running exercises every morning would soon pay off if he was given a chance to flee. Flee was what he did and did not want to do. He needed to inform the others but if he had to fight he wondered how he would do. Right now he had fight with words. ?An aggressor? No I do not take you for an aggressor based on your dealings with me so far. But your questions indicate that your curiosity might lead to aggressive actions towards my companions in the future. As for the trespasser?I do not know the history between your kin and those that were here before us. It would seem that we would be the trespassers but the history of such matters must be taken in account fully in order for me to make a fair judgment.?

T?Riad wanted to end this conversation before he mistakenly released information this priest might find valuable. It was just a matter of control. ?Still your shaken mind?? master used to tell him. ?Fear is the mind killer?? master would always say in martial training. T?Riad had to calm his nerves. It was possible betrayal, not death, that made him nervous. Death was final, betrayal one had to live with.

Klairgaireous looked upon T?riad with a raised heavy brow. T?riad was ready for anything the priest may deliver. ?Erythnul be damned, the beast even had muscles in his eyebrows,? he thought as he started to think of the best way out of this situation.

?Mistake me for that degree of an aggressor do you? Whom is the trespasser T?riad?? Klairgaireous asked, a low growl deep within his chest. So forceful was the sound T?riad could feel vibrations emanating from him.

T?Riad wondered who the master was. It was odd for T?Riad to hear someone else refer to a master that wasn?t his. He wished more than ever that he had his Masters guidance right now. This priest was beginning to ask questions that T?Riad did not want to answer. He did have a sense of loyalty to those that he?s traveled with. He spent four months on a boat with them. He had been in immediately dangerous situations with them in the underground. Betrayal of the people he had come to know would not sit well with him. He had more obligation to them than he did this priest. Despite the fact that T?Riad had no interest in the mission for this island he could not in good conscious hand over those that he came to know as friends.

T?Riad righted himself and stood up straight and proud. Although still on the defensive he had to stand his ground. ?I will not tell you anything that would allow you to assess the strength of these people. If you wish to know more then you?ll have to find out for yourself.?, T?Riad said. He knew this could cause the priest to act aggressively but T?Riad had built his whole life on principle and discipline. If he gave that up now the rest of life could very well be meaningless. He was prepared to fight and die if necessary.

?You are led by those who would keep secrets from their own if this is your belief.? Klairgaireous said solemnly. Even though he stood an easy ten paces away, T?riad did not doubt the orc could not snatch him in a blink. He had the look of a creature ready and capable to pounce, despite the robes he wore.

?None of the outside world had stepped anew onto this land for a thousand years. Nor could the probability of it be in dispute, for it is a truth known to me and those that would trick you.? Klairgaireous paused, and for the first time in the conversation moved, gesturing with his palm facing T?riad, as he said, ?the great barrier did not bear fools.?

He lowered his hand and studied T?riad for a moment. ?I will not bear witness to my judgement of you. I shall accord you the hospitality of trust, for your words ring of truth despite the falsehood that is its seed. If commerce is the final destination, my kind will extract its own price and good will come to fruition for both are people. If the Master allows.?

T?riad was about to ask a question on this, but was pre-empted.

As he turned his gaze to the west he asked, ?How many of you are here? Do you have women and children amongst you?? His gaze was focused towards the setting sun of the horizon. T?riad realized without absolute clarity, it was toward the Outpost. Although the intonation of Klairgaireous speech did not change, the question sent a shiver up his spine.

[OOC note, although the sun was just rising in the east, it is now quite unexpectedly and suddenly setting in the west. This being a quasi-reality, the time jump is noticed, but not noted by T?riad at this time. Like in a dream, he is aware of the flaw, but pays no heed or concern to it]

T?Riad was amazed at the priests sophistication. He well understood the value of a society wanting to keep its solitude. He had grown up in a removed way of life himself. He respected the intentions of this priest. Again he didn?t want to betray his companions and the convoy. Neither did he want to disrespect the priests way of life. T?Riad was torn. He had come out here to find new ground and challenges. He never expected this sort of challenge.

T?Riad answered, ?You may find commerce a flip response but it is nevertheless the truth. They simply want to respectfully partake in some of what the island offers?in part a fresh start. These people are also here to uncover the mystery surrounding this island. Many times in the past have they sent pioneers to tame the wildness here and every time was met with failure. That sort of situation makes these people thirsty for answers. Peace is what they seek, not war. To make war would only bring more of them to find answers and perhaps make more war.?

T?Riad thought again and said, ?If it were your people lost never to have returned would you not be curious about their fate??

T?Riad had hoped that turning the situation on the priest would somehow make him understand the nature of the convoy. His studies had given him the sense that war would somehow be inevitable regardless of either people?s intentions. Such has been the way of their nature for thousands of years. T?Riad suddenly felt sad at that fact. Still, he had to try and keep peace?sweet, seductive peace.

The hobgoblin retained his serious tone, his answer didn?t skip a beat after the question. ?Commerce is a flip response. You speak to betray the time consumed by the endeavor, or consider it either an unvalued commodity or one that should be hidden. I am no simpleton traveler. My own understanding of your journey would pale in experience, but would enlighten you on the effort.?

Kalirgaireus turned his head and his gaze back to T?riad.

?Your query posed speaks volumes. Now I am of an opinion to the state of your previous knowledge of my people. This opinion disturbs. An encroacher should tread lightly upon land marked as home by another for a thousand years.? His serious demeanor showed no hint of smile or welcome that it had started with.

?Disappointment consumes as sudden expectations of conflict escalate. It is dual and layered in its sadness, since all could have been thwarted by proper preparation.? Klairgaireous turned back to the village as T?riad waited with a held breath.

?I am reminded by my own thoughts of the reason behind the title of this conversation,? Klairgaireous broke in a small smile. T?riad almost sighed aloud with relief. ?This is first contact. Perhaps all is not lost just yet.?Klairgaireous turned his serious gaze back to T?riad, the smile gone as quickly as it had appeared.

T?Riad quickly pondered the question knowing that the quicker the answer the more viable it seemed. Not that he was going to lie, but neither would he exactly spell out the entire truth. He had respect for the truth but realized that he had to dance his way towards a peaceful answer and not endanger the lives of those he had come to know.

T?Riad answered as honestly and as even-toned as he could, ?These people are here for commerce and answers. How long have your folk been here on this island?? T?Riad hoped that his question would be met with an answer and not some sort of reprimand. He was just as curious about the priest as the priest was about the convoy.

Klargaireus spoke again in perfect common, his voice a deep baritone, ?The honor may yet be mine,? he said with a bow. ?Welcome to Jhaegra T?riad Shy?Eve. I have watched over you and your brethren on our coast to the west, you are indeed an adventurous sort aren?t you??

As Klairgaireus took his stare away from T?riad, he took a step towards the village and returned his gaze upon it. T?riad sensed the question more an observation and waited patiently for Klargaireus to continue.

?First question,? he started as he watched below. T?riad noted that the villagers were not aware of their presence up on the high hill, or didn?t care. ?Why are you and your people here??

T?riad thought the welcoming to Jhaegra was friendly enough, but the question had a hint of danger. One thing ran echoed in his mind, ?on our coast to the west?.

WILDFIRE POST 1Upon hearing the voice T?Riad instinctively grabs his Kamas and spins into a defensive crouch. His years of training with his master caused him to react in such ways. He found it odd that this huge, seemingly clumsy beast could have crept up on him with out him hearing it. T?Riad kept a stoic face to his surprise at the Hobgoblins vestments and demeanor. He quickly scanned the hulk looking for any signs or symbols that would mark him as the priest he said he was.

T?Riad was hit with a bit of confusion at the Hobgoblins intent. If he had meant to cause harm he surely would have done so while T?Riad was looking at the town. What was this Hobgoblins motives, T?Riad wondered. Was he from the town below? Was he somehow connected to the hobgoblins in the underground? Worse still, did he know about the settlers on the beach?

These thoughts flashed instantly through T?Riad?s mind in that one scan of sizing up this unexpected guest. Breaking the following silence to the Hobgoblins self introduction T?Riad says, ?High Priest Windhammer, I am T?Riad Shy?Eve, Brother Monk of the Order of the Eight. I know not yet if it is an honor to make your aquaintence. I am, however, honored with the grace of your introduction.?

T?Riad hoped his words would diffuse any unpleasant encounter with this priest. He had seen what priests could do with their divine persuasions back at the monastery. Windhammer being a High Priest surely would have been able to do much harm if he so chose. He had also understood that Hobgoblins were not widely renowned for their hospitality to elves. Whatever would come to pass T?Riad was quite prepared to defend himself against this Klargaireus Windhammer. Again, T?Riad was puzzled by this Hobgoblin High Priest?especially his last name. It didn?t seem much like a Hobgoblin name at all. It seemed more like what would be described as a Dwarven name. Then again, nothing about this Hobgoblin seemed typical.

[Note to reader, I have labeled all the remaining posts with a header, to clearly identify the writer. Since this thread was continued in an email prior to its appearance here].

DRAY POST 3

Any other person would have jumped out of his skin, T?riads? training kept his flesh where it belonged. He turned to see a very tall hobgoblin standing only a few feet to his right and slightly behind him. The hobgoblin did not turn to face him, but simply continued to gaze at the village below.

A very unusual hobgoblin.

Standing over seven feet tall, he was almost twice T?riads elven frame. His most striking feature was two magnificent dark grey horns, similar to the shape of a rams. Each horn protruded from the side of a temple, from underneath long jet black hair, and curved back behind his ears, then forward under the jaw line. They ended in neatly upturned sharpened spikes right next to his massive eye teeth that projected from his lower jaw. Thick hair that was combed straight, and oiled to stay in place as it flowed to the middle of his back. At the end of its? length it was tied with long leather straps, the remaining slack hanging further still. His grey skin was far darker in pigment than T?riad would have expected on a hobgoblin. The iris of his eyes was dark purple and contained a hint of a smile, even as the hob was lost in a thought. His sunken nose-less face was typical of a hobgoblin, and was the significant feature that T?riad identified him as such.

The dark purple robes and vestments he wore were not marked with any holy symbol or glyphs, but portended to be priest in style. The clothing was also very neatly pressed and surprisingly clean. They covered an obvious massive frame.

T?riad didn?t know what to think, he had never before heard of such a hobgoblin, he in fact wasn?t sure if he was a hobgoblin at all.

?My name is Klargaireus Windhammer, First Order of Jhaegra, High Priest,? the hobgoblin stated. He then turned to face T?riad.